American actor Alexx O’Nell hopes Kesari 2 doesn’t suffer like his film Joker with Akshay Kumar, shares he wasn’t ‘starstuck’ by Mohanlal on L2: Empuraan
In an interview with SCREEN, American actor Alexx O'Nell opened up about his experience of working with Mohanlal in L2: Empuraan and Akshay Kumar in Joker and Kesari: Chapter 2.
Written by Navya Kharbanda
New Delhi | April 15, 2025 05:09 PM IST
4 min read
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Alexx O' Nell worked with Akshay Kumar in Joker in 2012 (Photo: PR Handout)
American actor-musician Alexx O’Nell has reunited with his 2012 film Joker co-star Akshay Kumar in Kesari: Chapter 2, which is set to hit the theatres on April 18. While their first movie together performed poorly at the box office, he holds high expectations from the upcoming historical courtroom drama. In an interview with SCREEN, Alexx exclusively opened up about sharing a laugh with Akshay about Joker on the sets of Kesari 2. He also spoke about his experience of working with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in his latest hit L2: Empuraan.
During the conversation, the actor was asked about his expectations from the upcoming release, when he stated that it shouldn’t have the same fate as their film Joker. “It has to do better than the first film Akshay and I did together, Joker! We met after all these years and started working together on Kesari. Obviously, we shared a bit of a laugh about the film. That film didn’t do so well, which is fine, but my friends’ kids loved the movie because it is colourful and you never know what’s going to happen in the next moment,” he replied.
Alexx added, “We had a great relationship while making that movie, got along really well. This is a much more serious subject and a very important, heart-hitting film. My expectations are quite high. I don’t look at it just as a movie made for entertainment value, but a film made to give another angle and perspective. I am looking forward to seeing the whole film, the final cut, with the entire cast tomorrow.
Mohanlal’s sequel to Lucifer, Lucifer 2, has been receiving great reviews and breaking records with its box office collections. When asked about the audience reception, he expressed, “It has been overwhelming. It’s a modest role in an epic film so I was not expecting so much love. It really shocked me just how well received the film was internationally as well as domestically, in so many markets. I am very appreciative of all the messages, calls, and love coming my way.”
He also mentioned that Mohanlal’s stardom is unmatched, but his humble nature is what impressed him. He said, “It’s always a little intimidating when you see someone like Mohanlal walk on the set. All eyes naturally turn towards him. I don’t feel bad if while your watching Empuraan, you are not looking at me, you are looking at Mohanlal. He is also such a humble and nice guy, even if you are starstruck, it can quickly dissapate. He came up to me, introduced himself and we chatted for a bit. He is such a wonderful guy, so down to earth, you forget that he is such an internationally acclaimed superstar.”
However, the Thaandavam actor wasn’t starstuck in his presence. “I also didn’t grow up in this industry or country, so I lack that starstruck reaction most of the time. I have worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, Randeep Hooda, and danced on the stage with Shah Rukh Khan as well. I don’t really have that starstruck nature that a lot of folks do, but that allows me to do my job properly. My job is to be the best possible scene partner I can be to whoever I work with,” Alexx concluded.
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Alexx O’Nell has worked across several industries and film industries in India in the past 15 years. He is popular for his Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
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